by a Christian trader against Prophet Mohammed, residents told AFP on Tuesday.Abdullahi Sallau said a Moslem mob killed one person on Sunday and three on Monday in the town of Pandogari in Niger state "following blasphemous remarks by a Christian against the Prophet."
One of those killed was Methodus Chimaije Emmanuel, the 24-year-old who posted comments on his Facebook page, said Sallau, who lives in the town. His account was supported by another local.
Emmanuel, whose parents were from Nigeria's mainly Christian south but who was born and raised in Pandogari, had gone into hiding following the post but was found.
"The crowd took the law into their hands and mobbed him to death despite the revulsion expressed by his parents over the online comments," said Misbahu Malami, who lives locally.
Soldiers and police have made arrests and imposed an overnight curfew to restore calm after crowds went on the rampage, looting shops, burning a church and demanding the suspects' release.
Sallau said soldiers opened fire and killed three while three others were maimed. The military said one of the dead was a member of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps.
Army front man Major NC Agwu confirmed that Emmanuel was killed by a mob "on (the) allegation of posting a blasphemous statement about Prophet Mohammad on the social media."
Soldiers "quickly intervened and restored law and order while a dusk-to-dawn curfew was imposed in the town" but the mob on Monday took over a major road, prompting further deployments, he said.
"Regrettably, one church, one house and a shop were burnt while 25 other shops were looted following the violence," added Agwu.